Sofia Coppola and the Significance of An Appealing Aesthetic
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Date
2016-06
Authors
Ozeran, Leila
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
This thesis grew out of an interest in the films of female directors, producers,
and writers and the substantially lower opportunities for such filmmakers in Hollywood
and Independent film. The particular look and atmosphere which Sofia Coppola is able
to compose in her five films is a point of interest and a viable course of study. This
project uses her fifth and latest film, Bling Ring (2013), to showcase Coppola's merits
as a filmmaker at the intersection of box office and critical appeal. I first describe the
current filmmaking landscape in terms of gender. Using studies by Dr. Martha Lauzen
from San Diego State University and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to
illustrate the statistical lack of a female presence in creative film roles and also why it is
important to have women represented in above-the-line positions. Then I used close
readings of Bling Ring to analyze formal aspects of Sofia Coppola's filmmaking style
namely her use of distinct color palettes, provocative soundtracks, car shots, and
tableaus. Third and lastly I went on to describe the sociocultural aspects of Coppola's
interpretation of the "Sling Ring." The way the film explores the relationships between
characters, portrays parents as absent or misguided, and through film form shows the
pervasiveness of celebrity culture, Sofia Coppola has given Bling Ring has a central message, substance, and meaning: glamorous contemporary celebrity culture can have
dangerous consequences on unchecked youth. In conclusion, this paper hopes to
illustrate Bling Ring as another nuanced portrait of emptiness despite excess from Sofia
Coppola, a female filmmaker whose techniques and visual motifs can be isolated and
are indicative of the term “auteur.” Female filmmakers do not lack the ability or
competency to be filmmakers, nor do they suffer a deficiency of stories to tell or visions
to translate to film. They simply lack opportunity.
Description
72 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Cinema Studies and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2016.
Keywords
Cinema, Film, Sofia Coppola, Femal filmmakers, Indie films, Bling Ring